Perth Farmers’ Market organisers hope a visit by Prince Charles to the first midweek market can provide a significant fillip to the decade-old event.
The Duke of Rothesay will tour the market’s 25 stalls on Tuesday as part of a day-long engagement in support of the Perth 800 festivities.
The prince is a strong advocate of organic farming and the type of direct-to-customer sales of local seasonal produce the monthly markets offer.
Organiser Adeline Watson said, “This is a great honour for us and reflects the efforts that we have put in to try and create a vibrant marketplace that is attractive for customers and allows local producers the opportunity to sell produce in their own area.
“We are aware the prince has a great interest in this process. Locally-produced food, which helps sustain the rural economy and reduces environmentally damaging transportation, is something we feel sure he will appreciate.
“This is the first time the market has been held on a Tuesday and it will give us the opportunity to meet new customers who, perhaps, do not come in to Perth on a Saturday.”
Perth Farmers’ Market was the first of its kind in Scotland and, nationwide, there are over 50 weekend local showcases in operation.
The Scottish Government gave £200,000 to the Scottish Association of Farmers’ Markets (SAFM) last year to help promote and coordinate the concept.
Perth Farmers’ Market founder and SAFM co-founder Jim Fairlie said, “The market has become part of community life in Perth and farmers’ markets in general are helping to change our culture and people’s attitude to food.
“With Perth being the first town to hold a farmers’ market, the first to achieve Cittaslow status, and now the first Scottish farmers’ market to play host to the Duke of Rothesay on an official visit, I believe we are proudly working towards the accolade of being Scotland’s food capital.”
A show by the band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and cooking demonstrations by Andrew Fairlie of Scotland’s only double-Michelin-starred restaurant his eponymous eaterie at Gleneagles Hotel will be among the day’s highlights.